Episode Details

In this episode, Ken takes a rare detour into the world of politics with Nina Linh, a Vietnamese-American candidate running as an Independent for California’s 40th Congressional District (CA-40).

In a world defined by hyper-polarization and "Pavlovian" party loyalty, Nina argues that the true path to progress lies in the "Radical Middle." We discuss her decision to leave the Democratic Party, her commitment to absolute transparency through quarterly civilian roundtables, and the plight of the "politically homeless" voters who feel betrayed by both sides. Nina shares her "forged in fire" perspective as a first-generation immigrant and her refusal to follow "party bosses" at the expense of her constituents.

Inside this deep dive into the 2026 political landscape:

The "Independent Surge": Why 46% of Americans now identify as independent and how the "top-two" primary system in California is making Nina a viable threat.

Bypassing the "Viper Pit": Nina’s strategy for building bipartisan coalitions without caucusing with a major party.

The Quarterly Commitment: A recorded pact to host town halls every quarter to give the truth—however dark—directly to the people.

The "Lesser of Two Evils" Trap: How Nina plans to stay "un-bought" in a campaign finance system designed to protect incumbents.

Term Limits: Why Nina believes eight years is the maximum time anyone should serve in the House before returning to civilian life.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!